The McNary High School Class of 2014 was sent off into the world surrounded by teachers and family Friday, June 6.

Students Evan Rummerfield and Melanie Brower addressed the graduates, who numbered more than 400, alongside Reneé Brown, chief of basketball operation and player relations for the Women’s National Basketball Association.

“Living life with more smiles and laughter does not hurt,” said Rummerfield. “A simple smile can change the world.”

Rummerfield urged his classmates to find their passion and ask themselves if their passion makes the world a better place.

“Do not settle for less than your standards,” he said. “We will thrive and we will make a difference.”

Brower encouraged students to reflect on all the faces that helped them through the last four years and show appreciation for the time and effort teachers and relatives spent with them.

“We wouldn’t have made it through these four years without all the faces in this room,” Brower said.

There was only one fear graduates should entertain, she added, “Be afraid of standing still. Take chances whenever you can,”

Brown imparted the lessons she’d learned in her years as a coach and representative of the WNBA, boiling it down to three: dream big, fears and limitations are an illusion and be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.

“Nothing is impossible, and whatever you tell yourself is what you’ll believe,” Brown said of the first lesson.

Fear and expected limits will inhibit creativity, she said, and “there is something out there for each one of you.”